1Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
Emergency Action Plan
For the purposes of this document a ‘Duty Supervisor’ is the person responsible for the
building ie: Assistant Operations Manager, Facility Supervisor or Acting Facility Supervisor.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
MINOR EMERGENCY
A minor Emergency is an incident, which, if handled properly, does not result in a lifethreatening situation. It will normally be dealt with by the Lifeguard or First Aid
Person.
 Pool attendant is made/becomes aware of an incident
 Pool attendant notifies others in the team that they have to respond to an
incident
 Other team members move to cover vacated patrol/vigilance area
 Pool attendants involved administer immediate aid or provide appropriate
assistance
 Pool attendant refers casualty to appropriate location
 Pool attendant completes accident/incident report, takes report to be signed by
AOM. The pool attendant returns to duty.
The above applies to swimming lessons also.
MAJOR EMERGENCY
A major emergency is one where an incident occurs resulting in a serious injury or lifethreatening situation. In most cases it will involve more than one member of the team
and may, in extreme situations, involve all team members.
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Pool attendant identifying the problem raises the alarm-by using the pool alarm,
whistle or hand signals
Pool alarm sounds in the control pod and reception to alert support staff by
radio or public address system.
Pool attendant initiates rescue/first aid procedures and removes casualty from
the danger area.
Support team members cover vacated patrol/vigilance area, clearing the pool if
required
Duty Manager summons ambulance/provides specialist equipment/assists in
crowd control etc.
Duty Manager completes incident and accident report forms and any other
reports required
The importance of knowing and understanding these "Emergency Procedures" cannot
be overstated. All staff must know not only their own role should an emergency arise,
but also that of the rest of the team.
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2Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
HEAD INJURIES
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All head injuries are to be treated as serious injuries
Casualties with face/head injury should not be allowed to return to the pool
Where the injury is serious an ambulance should be called. If injury appears to
be less serious the casualty should be made to dress and should be supervised by
a responsible person whist doing so
If there is any doubt as to severity of the injury an ambulance should be called.
There is always a possibility of delayed concussion/loss of consciousness
occurring
As much assistance as possible should be given to the casualty and persons
accompanying them. This may include use of telephone and assistance with
looking after children
A cold compress may only be used if there is clear indication that there are no
complicating injuries or damage. Use of the cold compress must have a layer in
between the skin to protect from the intense cold.
AMBULANCE CREW RESPONSIBILITIES
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Staff have the responsibility to treat casualties prior to the arrival of an
ambulance crew. Their responsibility ends when the ambulance crew starts to
treat casualty
The ambulance crews have full responsibility to transport unaccompanied
children to hospital. It should not be necessary for a member of staff to
accompany the casualty in the ambulance
The crèche team may take babies to hospital from the crèche as part of their
own emergency action procedure. At this point additional staff may be required
to help out from other departments.
OVERCROWDING
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The maximum number allowed in water not to be exceeded
Maximum bather load for agreed session not to be exceeded
Bather change over allowed providing the maximum centre numbers are not
exceeded
Bather head count sheets should be used to ensure the max capacity is
monitored, recorded. This also will be used if needed in an investigation.
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3Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR
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Rules and regulations as to conduct with in the NOP
Any bather, which is likely to cause a nuisance or is dangerous to other bathers
should be stopped immediately
Speak to the customer in a firm but non-aggressive manner indicating your
reasons
If the behavior persists, give further warnings but do not become involved in an
argument
If the warning has no effect (after three attempts) or behavior becomes serious,
call the Supervisor of the activity for assistance who will assess the situation and
ask the offender to leave if deemed necessary
If bather has been asked to leave the pool their behavior is to be monitored until
they have left the building
Continuation of the offence could lead to a call for the Police
Lifeguard not to be distracted from his/her main role
LACK OF WATER CLARITY
Water to be tested to agreed national standards before use of pool
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If water begins to become cloudy inform duty supervisor
A water test and assessment will be made with appropriate remedial action
If remedial action not possible a decision whether it is safe for the pool to
remain open or necessary to close the pool
If the clarity becomes that the lifeguard is unable to see the bottom of the pool
then immediate closure of the pool
When the situation improves customers may be readmitted
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4Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
OUTBREAK OF FIRE
Assembly point is the middle of the main car park
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On discovery of a fire, sound the fire alarm by breaking the glass in the nearest
alarm point.
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Return to the nearest safe point to the fire and direct persons away from the fire
towards the nearest emergency exit (assembly point is in the main car park).
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Remain calm at all times.
Lifeguard blow their whistle loudly and clear the pool as quickly and efficiently as
possible
Customers should be directed to the nearest available exit doors away from any
obvious sources of fire or other obstruction they should be lined in an orderly manner.
If a full evacuation is deemed necessary a signal will be given to evacuate.
The receptionists will take the black and yellow box and the emergency grab bag first
aid kit.
On hearing this instruction customers should be marshaled through the exit door and
proceed to the fire assembly point. Thermal blankets will be issued.
On Hearing the Fire Alarms
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The Assistant Operations Manager goes immediately to Reception area to check the
fire alarm panel and investigate the activated zone area.
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All staff to go to their designated areas of responsibility. See staffing levels.
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The receptionist will use the P.A. System to make the following announcement.
“ We have an emergency situation in the building, please move to the nearest
emergency exit immediately”
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The fire alarm will be left operating in the event of a false alarm until all areas are
checked and declared safe by the Assistant Operations Manager.
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The Assistant Operations Manager will investigate the zone affected and then
inform the receptionist whether the alarm is false or real.
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5Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
False Alarm
The receptionist shall announce
“ the fire alarm is a false alarm, please resume your activities”.
Real Alarm
The receptionist shall announce,
“ There is an emergency in the building, clear the building at once”
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All staff should then clear the building at once. Escort all the public to main car
park assembly point.
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No person may be allowed to remain in, or return to the building until it is declared
safe by the Senior Officer present from the Emergency Services.
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On completion of the building search and all areas being cleared of the public, the
attendants will leave by the emergency exits and re-assemble at the reception area
where they will report to the Assistant Operations Manager or when the fire or
emergency affects this area, in the car park at the front of the building.
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Should the fire occur in the Reception area the Receptionists will immediately
evacuate the area. Receptionists will use the public call box to telephone the Fire
Brigade, or if that position is dangerous, the Facility Managers telephone. A mobile
phone may also be used as long as the phone number is known.
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When the Assistant Operations Manager is satisfied that all areas of the building
have been evacuated and all staff has re-assembled. The signing in book will then be
checked to ensure all staff is accounted for. The Assistant Operations Managers will
then instruct their staff to leave the building and take up security positions outside
the fire doors to prevent re-entry to the building.
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The Assistant Operations Managers shall inform the Senior Management of the
Fire as soon as practicably possible (phone numbers in the emergency file).
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Staff should only fight minor fires “WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO
DO SO “. Particular attention must be paid to the type of fire extinguisher used in
relation to the nature of the fire i.e.
Wood, paper, cloth etc
Petrol, oil, fat, paint, solvents
and inflammable liquids
Gas, electrical, apparatus,
wiring etc.
Water type
CO2 or dry powder
CO2 or Dry Powder
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6Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
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The alarm should only be silenced and reset if a false alarm is found.
If this is the case the Assistant Operations Manager should fill in an incident report
form and forward it to the Operations Manager.
Fire Alarm Panel
If the fire alarm sounds the Assistant Operations Manager should check the fire alarm
panel located at the rear of reception, to check which zone has been activated. This is
shown by a green light showing above the activated zone, at present the zones represent
the following locations:
Zone 1
Zone 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
First Floor
Ground Floor
Basement
Sauna
Squash Courts
Ladies / Gents Detectors
Admin areas
Spare
While the emergency evacuation procedure is put into operation the Assistant
Operations Manager checks the activated zone.
If there is a fire the alarm should be left sounding. If it is a false alarm the panel
should be reset, the procedure is as follows: 
Insert the command key and turn half turn clockwise Press silence button and then
reset.
In the event of a false alarm any broken glass alarm point must be refitted with a new
glass. Spares ` break glass fittings ` are available from the Assistant Operations
Manager.
If there is a maintenance fault on the fire panel the fault is to be reported to contracted
engineers as soon as possible.
In the interim period of not having effective fire detective system, the following must be
put in place:
 A record of the time the panel displayed a fault and when the fault was
reported.
 More regular checks to be enforced of all areas of the building
 A communication procedure put in place (radios to be used by all)
 Emergency panic buttons to be used if necessary
The insurance is not affected as long as alternative measures are enforced
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7Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
BOMB THREAT
11.1 If you personally answer a telephone or you are confronted with someone
threatening the presence of a bomb in the building you should attempt to obtain as
much information as possible.
If the caller can be persuaded, you should attempt to draw the following information
from him / her; 
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The location of the bomb
The expected time of detonation and method of detonation
Note the callers sex / accent
Any background noises
Once this information is obtained you should immediately inform a duty supervisor
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Informing the Police by dialing 999
All staff will go immediately to their designated areas of duty.
Customers on the wetside will be issued foil blankets in case of evacuation
If evacuation is necessary and instructed an assembly point on the far side of the
youth centre will be taken.
Mobile phones are to be used as communication and contact telephone numbers for
senior management are held in the file in the foil blanket box.
These numbers also contain the press officers numbers as no statements are to be
given to any press until senior management are present or have given consent.
No-one is to return to the building until emergency services have given consent
LIGHTING FAILURE
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In the event of a lighting failure, that particular area of the facility should be
completely cleared of any patrons.
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A responsible person should investigate the cause of the problem, and then contact
one of the following.
The Councils Maintenance Department
The Electricity Board
Note: - The facilities emergency lighting will automatically come on when there is a
failure of the lighting thus giving sufficient time for everyone to get dressed and leave
the facility.
Please note that once the fault has been rectified the pool lighting will take a while to
reheat and the emergency lighting may turn off straight away
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8Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
STRUCTUAL FAILURE
Should a structural failure occur, or if danger is suspected from the building structure,
activate the fire alarm by breaking nearest ‘break glass’ panel. Alternately inform duty
supervisor.
Evacuate customers from the building using whichever exit doors are unobstructed by
the result of the structural failure
Duty supervisor is to rectify the problem as soon as possible
Customers are not allowed to return to the building until it is deemed structurally safe.
POWER FAILURE
Building is to be cleared and customers able to obtain belongings due to emergency
lighting illuminating the building.
The cause of the power failure is to be found
Electricity board to be informed and emergency services if required
Re-admittance to the building is only possible when instructed is safe to do so.
Staff are stay on site in a safe area
EMISSION OF TOXIC GASES
An emission of toxic gas would most likely come from the following source, the
incorrect mixing of two chemicals.
If evacuation of the building is deemed necessary exits must be used which lead
customers away from danger area
If there is an emission from chemical mixing the immediate area should be evacuated
with haste closing doors if possible to prevent the gases escaping to other occupied
areas
Should it be necessary to evacuate the building the fire alarm should be activated and
the emergency evacuation procedure to be used.
Any person who has been gassed by chlorine should be taken to hospital
The accident may be reportable to Health and Safety Executive.
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9Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
SERIOUS INJURY TO A BATHER
Call for assistance Pool Alarm
Carry out first aid
Bleeding to be controlled
All head injuries to be treated as serious
Telephone for ambulance if required
All accidents to be reported in the accident book
Health and Safety Officer may have to be informed
DISCOVERY OF A CASUALTY IN THE WATER
Before entering water call for assistance Pool Alarm
If breathing has stopped start and casualty is still in the water carry out rescue breaths
till assistance arrives
If there is no sign of normal breathing start CPR
999 call for ambulance
Level of supervision of pool users must not drop therefore only one lifeguard the pool
needs to be cleared of users
Do not allow a crowd to gather around the casualty clear the immediate area
One person to meet ambulance and direct ambulance personal to the casualty location
Complete written statements by all staff involved ASAP
This applies to a major water based emergency during swimming lessons.
SPINAL INJURY
If casualty face down in water turn face up
If casualty not breathing start CPR asap
Stabilize casualty head at all times
Maintain casualty in a horizontal position
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10Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
DEALING WITH BLOOD VOMIT FAECES
Diarrhea
If a substantial amount is introduced to the water the pool should be immediately
closed to bathers
Check pool plant and raise the set point of the automatic dozing system to maximum
level permitted
The pool will remain closed for 24 hours
Carry out a backwash of filters.
Solid Stools
Immediately retrieved by pool staff using appropriate net provided for the purpose.
Carry out water test checking adequate levels of free chlorine is available
Blood and Vomit
If substantial amounts of blood and vomit are spilled into the pool it should be
temporally cleared of people to allow the pollution to disperse and any infective
particles with in it to be neutralized by the disinfectant in the water
Spillage’s of blood or vomit on the poolside should be contained and wiped up with
appropriate cleaning cloths. A solution containing disinfectant of 10ppm should be
washed over the area
The cloths used for this purpose should immediately be safely disposed
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11Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
Emergency Evacuation Procedure
 Small pool lifeguard = Clear pool and balcony, assembling customers at learner
pool emergency exit point.
 Main pool lifeguard one = Clear pool and assemble customers at main pool
emergency exit points. Stay with swimmers to prevent re-entry.
 Main pool lifeguard two = Once the pool is clear, the sauna/steam area is to be
checked and the wet side changers cleared.
 Gym Staff = responsible for the gym and will clear the gym along main pool
balcony exit route and also clearing the main pool balcony of all customers
 Floating lifeguard = is to clear the dryside facilities
 Receptionist = contact the emergency services, provide relevant information to
the Duty Supervisor on request, communicate effectively with customers, take
signing in book, yellow & black box and first aid grab bag to assembly point.
Stay calm
 Creche team= the crèche have their own procedure adhering to health and
safety and Ofsted guidance.
The Duty Supervisor is to manage and co-ordinate situation. They are required to
communicate with emergency services and senior management where necessary.
During swimming lessons the teachers teaching are responsible for their own class.
The teachers must take their registers with them to check attendance to evacuation
point and it is seen that the parents/guardians will follow.
For classes held in the multi purpose room, the instructors are to clear the room
and head towards the fire assembly point with their class, as the floating lifeguard
clears the rest of the dry side.
If there are any contractors on site then they are to be treated as public and
informed of any necessary action to be taken.
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12Emergency
Action Plan
Chester le Street Leisure Centre
The Evacuation of Disabled Person who Require Assistance…
1. From the Main Pool Balcony and Gym
 Once the alarm has been activated the gym staff will take the first aid kit
and direct non wheel chair users to their nearest fire exit
 Wheel chair users will then be held in their own chair in the safe hold
area outside the gym doors. The evacuation chair will also be taken to
this holding area.
 Once there has been notification to say that there is a need for evacuation
then this will done using either the persons own chair, or they can be
transferred onto an evacuation chair or alternatively use the battery
operated stair lift.
2. From the Main / Learner Poolside
 The lifeguards on the poolside will assist all users to the emergency exits.
On determining that this is not a false alarm they will provide foil
blankets and escort all customers to assembly point in main car park.
3. From the Changing Rooms and Sauna Area
(Minimum of One staff Change area One staff Sauna)
 The attendant clearing the changing rooms will offer assistance and
escort users to the emergency exit point and then to the assembly point in
main car park.
All staff should be aware that other members of the public may offer assistance during
an emergency situation and this assistance should be taken gladly but they are still
responsible for the customers and the clearing and checking of the area.
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